Importance of Bike Registration Certificate (RC)

What is RC?

RC or a Registration Certificate is like an identification given to your two wheeler. As per the Section 39 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, all bike owners are legally required to have an RC to ride their bike. An RC serves as a mandatory requirement and is one of the most important documents to carry while riding your bike. An RC is a certified document that ascertains the registration of your vehicle with the transport authority of the Government of India. The RTO offers a unique identification number during the registration process which is displayed on the vehicle registration number plate. Apart from an RC, you must also have a bike insurance policy to legally ride your bike in India

What are the Different Types of Bike Registration Certificates (RC)?

There are two types of RC offered to bike riders in India. You can read about them in detail below:

• Temporary RC:
  As soon as you buy a new bike, you are issued a temporary registration number. It is a provisional document valid for one month, and therefore, you must get it permanently registered at your respective RTO within this time frame.
• Permanent RC
  The permanent RC is issued by your authorised RTO. It is the permanent vehicle registration number granted to your bike and must be displayed on your bike's number plate. The permanent RC is an important documentary you must have at all times while riding your bike.

What Does a Bike RC Contain?

Your bike's RC or RCBook contains all the important information that is required to identify your bike. Here are the details found on your bike registration certificate:

1. Registration number and registration date of the bike
2. Engine type and engine number of the bike
3. The manufacturing date of the bike.
4. Bike's chassis number
5. Bike's model number
6. Bike's colour
7. Bike's fuel type
8. Name and address of the bike owner

What are the Features of the RC Book?

Here are the key features of your bikeRC book:

• The RC book of the vehicle acts as an official proof of registration of your bike.
• According to the Motor Vehicle Act, your bike must be registered in its respective RTO within 7 days of possessing.
• Your bike RC is valid for 15 years from the initial date of registration.
• After the expiry, you can renew it for the next 5 years, provided your bike is in good condition.

Importance of a Bike RC

Your bike RC is one of the most important documents that you must have while riding your two wheeler. Some of the other factors highlighting the importance of a bike registration certificate are listed below:

• In India, you must have an RC to drive your two-wheeler legally on public roads as it is a legal document identifying your bike.
• Your bike RC also protects you from fines as if you fail to carry your RC while riding your bike you will be fined ₹ 5,000 (for the first offense and up to ₹ 10,000 for repeated offense). However, this fine amount may vary from state to state. Therefore, visit the official website of the state authority to check the up-to-date fine amount. 
• In some cases, the traffic police might also seize your bike if you do not have an RC.

Your bike RC is also an important document to get an online bike insurance policy. You can browse two-wheeler insurance companies on websites like Policybazaar.com to buy a suitable insurance policy for your motorcycle. 

How to Obtain a Bike Registration Certificate Online?

Just as you can buy bike insurance online, you can also get your bike RC online using a simple and hassle-free process. If you plan to register your vehicle on your own, you must visit the 'Vahan' portal in your browser. You can register your bike here and get your RC.

Apart from an RC, you can use the 'Vahan' portal for other documentation such as ownership transfer, fitness certificate, etc.

Fee for Obtaining a Registration Certificate (RC) in India

The fee for obtaining RC for different vehicles is highlighted in the table below:

How to Obtain a Duplicate Bike RC?

If you lose your bike registration certificate, you can apply for a duplicate RC. Here are the steps that you can follow to obtain a duplicate bike certificate:

• If you lose the RC or someone steals it, you must go to your local police station and file an FIR.
• Fill and submit Form 26 for obtaining a duplicate RC.
• If your bike is against a loan, submit a duly signed NOC from your bank or the finance.
• Submit other documents asked with Form 26.

Documents Required for Getting a Bike RC

Below is the list of documents that need to be submitted with Form 26:

1. A copy of the FIR.
2. Bike insurance policy documents
3. NOC from your bank
4. PUC certificate
5. Tax payment copy (last 4 quarters)
6. Address proof of the bike owner
7. Identity proof of the bike owner

Once all the documents mentioned above are submitted, you must pay ₹300 as a fee to obtain a duplicate RC. After this, you will get an acknowledgement slip stating the receiving date for the hard copy of the duplicate RC.

Process of Converting RC Book to RC Smart Card

You can convert your existing RC book into an RC smart card by submitting it at the registered RTO along with the following documents:

• Copy of insurance papers
• Copy of PUCC
• Original RC book
• Prescribed fee asked by the authority

How to Check RC Details?

You can either check your Bike RC details online or offline

Online Method

To check your bike RC online, you can follow the procedure mentioned below:

• Step 1: Visit Parivahan's official website.
• Step 2: Click on 'Know Your Vehicle Details'.
• Step 3: Open a new account if you do not have one. For existing users, log in directly.
• Step 4: Enter the vehicle registration number.
• Step 5: Enter the displayed captcha code and click the 'Vahan Search' option.
• Step 6: Lastly,the RC details of your vehicle will be shown on the screen.

Offline Method

You can also check the RC status offline using the following steps

• Step 1: Type VAHAN space vehicle’s registration number
• Step 2: Send this SMS to 7738299899 from the registered mobile no.
• Step 3: Receive all RC information through SMS on your mobile phone.

How to Change Address in your Bike RC Book?

To change the address on your RC book, you must provide all the necessary documents to the registered RTO or Grade 1 Motor Vehicle Inspectors. The process usually takes 1 working day to complete.

Here is a list of documents needed to get it done:

• Submit a duly filled Form 33.
• For address change proof: affidavit stamped by public notary, ration card & electoral roll.
• Registration Certificate (RC) of the vehicle
• Passport size photographs